Mod Archive Forums
Community => The Lobby => Topic started by: stone17 on February 26, 2009, 13:02:12
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Does anyone know about legal aspects of using music from an old game in ones own productions?
To be more precise, I intend to make an AGS (Adventure Game Studio) game and have remixed music from the game 'Blood Money', which would fit perfectly into the planned Sci-Fi scenario. The game, if ever I finish it, would be freeware, of course.
Would this be legal or do I have to get in contact with whoever has the copyrights of this game (which I imagine would be difficult, since it is about 20 years old)?
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Legally speaking, it would be a breach of copyright. But with many of the old games, often the company that owns the rights is long disbanded.
It is illegal, but generally isn't a huge problem for small projects - if they copyright holder is still around, will they even know their tune is being used? Many small game makers and music producers fly so far under the radar that nobody ever notices.
I sampled a Konami game on my album, I've had modest downloads, and not a single cease and desist.
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FAQ: http://modarchive.org/index.php?modules-copyright
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Okay, so I think I will just use it and keep my fingers crossed. The music will be remixed anyway, does this affect the legal status?
And what would be the worst case scenario if someone with legal interest notices it?
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Okay, so I think I will just use it and keep my fingers crossed. The music will be remixed anyway, does this affect the legal status?
Derivative works are derivative works. If I made a remix of a commercial track I'd be expected to have a license to do so before releasing it.
And what would be the worst case scenario if someone with legal interest notices it?
That's anyone's guess.
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Do you really want to be a Timberland? Really do you really want to cross that line. I'm even trying to look for an artist in my stuff, even though my stuff is non commercial.